Cats Protection’s charity shop in Dalry Road is opening its doors to customers on Monday following the easing of retail lockdown restrictions.
Staff and volunteers have been busy preparing to welcome back customers, and measures will once again be in place to ensure the safety of everyone in stores, including limits on the numbers of customers, hand sanitising stations and rigorous cleaning.
The shops will be ready and waiting to take in donations of good quality second-hand clothing, accessories, books and bric-a-brac. With so many people using lockdown as a time to have a clear-out it is expected there will be a considerable amount of donations to sort through; which also means there will be lots of new stock for customers to browse.
Opening hours will be 9-5 Monday to Saturday, and shorter hours on Sundays (please check with your local shop).
Area Retail Manager Ian Trotter said: “We can’t wait to welcome back customers after such a long time but the safety of our staff, volunteers and customers is our highest priority and previously introduced safety measures will continue to be observed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“It is great to know that we will once again be able to support the work of our network of volunteers in helping cats and kittens in need.”
Cats Protection is a national network of around 230 volunteer-run branches, 37 centres and 109 shops, helping around 200,000 cats and kittens every year.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a male was seen acting suspiciously in the Dalry area.
Between 4.30pm and 6pm on Sunday, 21 March, a 22-year-old woman was walking her dog close to Dalry Cemetery when she became aware of a man following her.
Due to her concerns, she spoke to another woman within the cemetery and the man walked off in the direction of Dundee Street.
He is described as a white male, 5ft 8, of slim build, a tattoo of letters under left eye and wearing all black clothing with hood up.
Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish whether there was any criminality and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 3479 of 21 March.
Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of robberies and housebreakings which are believed to be linked.
These include a robbery within a property at Ferniehill Grove around 7.55pm on Sunday, 28 February.
Five unidentified men forced entry to the property, stealing personal items and electronic equipment. All of the men are described as being 25 to 30-years-old.
One is descried as being 6ft tall and of a heavy build. He was wearing a dark blue ski mask, dark blue Reebok hooded top and black/grey trousers.
Another man is described as being 5ft 8in tall and wearing a red ski mask with light bits, a dark hoody and tracksuit bottoms.
The remaining three men are described as being of skinny build and wearing a dark blue ski mask and dark clothing.
They are believed to have made off from the address in a grey or silver Vauxhall Insignia car.
The incident is being treated as having potential links to two recent incidents in the city. The first happened around 3.30pm on Sunday, 21 February where a report was received of three suspects, all wearing dark clothing and ski masks, forcing entry to an address on Saughton Road. They made off in what was described as a blue Vauxhall saloon car.
The other incident happened around 5pm on Wednesday, 24 February on Sinclair Place, Gorgie, where two suspects wearing dark clothing and face masks were disturbed while attempting to force entry to a property on Sinclair Place.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait of Edinburgh Division CID said: “Our enquiries into each of these incidents are ongoing and, while we are keeping an open mind, we believe they are potentially linked.
“We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to get in touch with us, particularly if you have seen a grey, silver or blue Vauxhall saloon car acting suspiciously in the areas. We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage.
“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 3519 of 28 February or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The next steps will be taken toward introducing new Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) to help alleviate parking pressures around Edinburgh, if approved by councillors this week.
On Thursday (28 January), Transport and Environment Committee will consider the results of an informal consultation on proposals for new controls in Leith, Gorgie and Shandon, as well as details on the operation of measures. Designs for parking controls have been amended following consultation and, if approved, we’ll commence the legal processes for introducing them.
This is the first of four phases of implementation of parking controls around the city, developed as part of the Strategic Parking Review, which was originally approved in 2018. The review has taken a holistic approach to parking pressures across Edinburgh, assessing the city on a street by street basis.
This has led to the identification of areas where parking controls may be required to resolve challenges facing residents, in particular from non-residential parking.
The report also updates on timescales for phase two (Roseburn, Corstorphine, Willowbrae and Saughton), phase three (Southside and Fettes) and phase four (Newhaven, Trinity, South Morningside, Portobello, Stenhouse and Saughton), which have been impacted by COVID-19.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “This review responds to the concerns of residents across the city, many of whom have told us that they want to see controls introduced to help limit the impact of non-residential parking.
Thanks to an in-depth, citywide analysis we have been able to identify the areas most in need of restrictions. Of course, the way we travel has changed immeasurably over the last year, but the introduction of new CPZs will be extremely beneficial to managing parking pressures when we eventually return to some sense of normality.
Not only do these controls help residents to park near their homes, but they can encourage those travelling into and around the city to consider alternative, sustainable modes of transport.”
The city council began the Strategic Parking Review in 2018 in response to comments from residents, community councils and ward councillors across the city, which demonstrated increasing support for new parking controls to limit non-residential parking.
An in-depth review split the city into five areas, further subdivided into 124 investigation areas, helping to generate heat maps for each location showing relative parking pressures by street. As a result, a series of new parking controls were approved in 2019, to be implemented in four phases.
On Thursday, committee members will also be asked to agree proposals to commence the legal process for introducing limited parking controls in Sighthill Industrial Estate to help manage parking demand there, as well as restrictions on the availability of permits for new or redeveloped properties.
The report details an approach to consultation for future phases in light of COVID restrictions, with virtual drop-in sessions, detailed plans online and opportunities to feed back on proposals via websites, interactive plans and questionnaires.
Consultation on phase two of the Strategic Parking Review is expected to begin in February.
The national winners of the annual Scottish FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards have been revealed, with the Gorgie Road restaurant in Edinburgh being crowned the winner of the 2020 Football Restaurant of the Year award.
The awards celebrate the efforts of grassroots football volunteers across Scotland who make a difference and go the extra mile to support their local communities.
Launched in March this year, the public response has been extremely strong, despite the challenging circumstances, with the Community Projects category receiving over 351% more votes this year compared to 2019. The awards feature a wide mix of categories which reflect the huge range of roles that volunteers play.
McDonald’s Gorgie Road, owned and operated by local franchisee Graham Angus (pictured above), joins a long list of inspirational grassroots football heroes who have been recognised by the awards programme.
Graham has been involved in the local grassroots community for a number of years, and the team at McDonald’s Gorgie Road support local football at Salvesen FC, as well as developing an innovative partnership by working with the club’s older players looking for a route back into employment.
Graham, who with his team will continue to support grassroots football in the Edinburgh area, added: “It’s an honour to be named Football Restaurant of the Year at the awards this year.
“I’m so proud of the efforts my team have put in to support grassroots football. Over the years our relationship with football teams have thrived. We’ve worked hard to form strong relationships with clubs like Salvesen FC, so we can help provide them with much-needed support to keep grassroots football prosper in the area.”
McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Kenny Dalglish said: “It’s been a really difficult year for the whole country, but I’m very pleased that we’re able to recognise and celebrate the volunteers who go above and beyond to have a positive impact on their local communities.
“The tireless work of local heroes like Graham Angus and his team at Gorgie Road is what keeps the game going. Graham and his team should be extremely proud of his achievements and grassroots football in Scotland is in a much better place with them being a part of it.”
The Scottish FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are part of McDonald’s ongoing Community Partnership with the Scottish FA.
To find out more about McDonald’s partnership visit:
Edinburgh residents are urged to celebrate what’s on our doorsteps in a festive season campaign that encourages shoppers to support local businesses when looking for the perfect present.
Launched today and extending through 2021, the ‘Shop Here This Year’ campaign shines a spotlight on 11 neighbourhoods and town centres across the city. It celebrates the quality independent retailers, eateries, and personal shopping experiences which bring our local high streets to life.
Highlighting unique aspects of each area, the campaign, aligned to the Scotland’s Towns Partnership Shop Local activities, will roll out across the Council’s digital platforms under the hashtag #shopherethisyear.
Businesses and shoppers are urged to get behind the campaign, sharing on their own social channels and supporting the local businesses which have such a vital impact on the city economy, local supply chains and local jobs.
The 11 areas that will be the focus of the campaign include: Leith & Leith Walk, Gorgie & Dalry, Bruntsfield & Morningside, Nicolson & Clerk Street, Tollcross, Royal Mile, Greater Grassmarket, Queensferry, Corstorphine, Stockbridge and Portobello.
For each location, the campaign will use real customer reviews to champion the range of unique experiences and products available across Edinburgh.
To mark the campaign’s launch an ultimate Christmas hamper of Edinburgh goodies, worth around £400, from businesses across the neighbourhoods is up for grabs.
Prizes include a tour and delicious samples from local gin distillers, Harris Tweed face coverings, luxury shortbread, selected fine wine, local jams, chutneys, cheeses, baked goods, festive treats and more.
To explore these fantastic vendors by bike, Just Eat Cycles include an annual pass in this giveaway and Edinburgh Zoo are giving away a VIP pass for the whole family to their Christmas Zoo experience.
For a chance to win, Edinburgh residents are asked to take to social media and share what makes their favourite independent shops special, using the hashtag #shopherethisyear and tagging @Edinburgh or @ThisIsEdinburgh on Instagram. Terms & Conditions apply, please go to Edinburgh.org for more details.
Councillor Kate Campbell, Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, said: “There are so many amazing independent retail businesses across our city offering a unique and personal experience while contributing much to our local communities, local economies and providing jobs.
“It goes without saying that all sectors have suffered because of the Covid-19 pandemic this year. That’s why, more now than ever, it’s so important that we all support our local businesses.”
Vice Convener Councillor Mandy Watt said: “It’s so important that businesses get behind this campaign so we can all share the collective message that people across Edinburgh should #shopherethisyear – we’re all in this together and its inspiring to see the hard work put in by retailers to keep customers safe while they shop local.“
Small Business Champion Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron said: “Edinburgh businesses have invested in, innovated and adapted their operating arrangements to comply with continuing Tier 3 restrictions to keep patrons, customers and staff safe.
“They deserve our thanks and, more importantly, our support – as a Council, and as a city. With the festive season and #SmallBusinessSaturday2020 (on 5 December) fast approaching, I hope Edinburgh residents and businesses will embrace the #shopherethisyear initiative: by shopping local, by creating, liking and sharing posts on social media and by encouraging families and friends to do so too.”
Beth Edberg, who runs Scottish food emporium Cranachan and Crowdie on the Royal Mile, said: “Businesses across Edinburgh have never needed residents to shop local more than they do now in the run-up to Christmas. That’s why this new Shop Here This Year campaign is so very welcome”.
The campaign, aligned with the #ForeverEdinburgh city-wide partnership initiative, has been funded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership as part of the wider Scotland Loves Local campaign which is designed to encourage shoppers across the country to think local first.
This year nine dispersal zones have been authorised in Edinburgh to combat antisocial behaviour and disorder over the bonfire period. The zones will be in operation between 2pm and midnight from today (Wednesday 4th) to Saturday 7th November.
Under the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004, police have a Power of Dispersal within the designated zones authorised by Superintendent David Robertson.
This means that we can instruct any people in groups of two or more who are congregating and behaving in an antisocial manner to disperse, and if they do not live there to leave the zones, and then not to return for up to 24 hours. If they do return, they can be arrested.
The nine zones are Muirhouse, West Pilton, Portobello, Loganlea, Saughton, Gorgie, Gilmerton, Moredun and Southhouse.
They will be in place from 2pm today (Wednesday 4 November) until midnight on Saturday 7 November.
Maps have been published on local police social media.
Police Scotland has confirmed that a 52 year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an incident which saw a man threatened with a weapon and a three figure sum of cash stolen.
This incident happened on Friday, 10 July at Gorgie Farm on Gorgie Road.
The accused is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Police would like to thank the public for their assistance following our appeal for information.
Police are appealing for information after an 18-year-old man was seriously injured in the Gorgie area. The incident happened around 5pm on Monday (19 October) when the teenager walked into a shop on Gorgie Road with a stab wound to his leg.
It’s believed the incident happened in the Westfield Court area. The 18-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
There is no description of the suspect.
Detective Sergeant Rory Legge, of Corstorphine CID, said: “This happened at a busy time of the day and we know there would’ve been a lot of traffic and people in the area.
“I would ask anyone who witnessed this incident or saw any suspicious behaviour around the Westfield Court area just before 5pm on Monday to contact us.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2228 of 19 October 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police Scotland have issued an image of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their investigation into a robbery in Edinburgh.
The incident, which saw a man threatened with a weapon and a three figure sum of cash stolen, occurred around 2.25pm on Friday, 10 July, 2020 at Gorgie Farm off Gorgie Road.
Officers believe that the man shown in the image may have information that will assist with their investigation and would appeal to any members of the public who recognise him to come forward.
The man is described as white, in his 40’s, around 6ft 1 in in height, of average build with short ginger hair.
Detective Constable Jenifer Bell said: “Nobody was injured but this was a frightening experience for the man involved and I would urge anyone who may be able to identify the man in the image to come forward. If you can assist with this or have any other information which may help, please do get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1891 of 10th July 2020 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
